A further 533 coronavirus deaths have been announced in the UK today. This is slightly down on the 616 fatalities recorded yesterday and far lower than the 648 deaths announced last Wednesday.
There were 16,578 new infections declared today, compared with 12,282 yesterday. It comes after Covid-19 infection rates increased in 75 per cent of London's boroughs, raising the prospect of the capital being moved to Tier 3.
New Public Health England (PHE) figures show the infection rates in 24 of the 32 boroughs are on the rise. London is currently in Tier 2 but this is set to be reviewed on December 16 and there are fears it could be put into the highest Tier 3.